New tuition set at below $26,000, far less than most area competitors

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is disrupting the Master of Health Administration market by reducing tuition to just under $26,000, a cost that’s far below the average MHA price in the Northeast of $63,122. 

“This reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, advanced education at a competitive cost for all enrolled students,” said LaToya Trowers-Bell, Ed.D, MBA, program director for Healthcare Administration. “If you're a Mass General Brigham employee, this works out great because you have this reduced tuition, and the MGB tuition remission benefit brings the cost down even further. So, it's even more attractive to do your MHA with the MGH Institute.”

The MGH Institute’s online, asynchronous MHA program is geared toward working adults and designed to equip healthcare administrators with the leadership skills and expertise in healthcare finance that’s needed to drive meaningful change within healthcare organizations. 

Sokuntheary Chhan, MHA ’24, is a recent example. A quality control analyst in Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Microbiology Department, Chhan has blended her scientific expertise with administrative skills, enabling her to drive impactful healthcare solutions and bridge the gap between scientific research and practical, policy-driven outcomes. 

“The MHA program's focus on leadership and communication really built up my ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, encourage collaboration, and relay scientific findings to non-specialist stakeholders,” said Chhan. “Additionally, learning about healthcare economics and policy has been instrumental in securing research funding.”

Student Sheila Regan is also hoping to leverage her Master of Health Administration degree. Regan enjoys the program’s asynchronous offerings because she can fit them into her life that involves a fulltime job, a husband, and two children. 

“The accessibility of this degree is wonderful,” said Regan. “The fact I can have a full-time job, and a family, and still get this done is great.”

The MHA program is 36 credits and can be completed fulltime in just one year. Regan is in the part-time program and is taking two courses per semester; so far, she has learned about healthcare law and ethics, healthcare human resources policies, leadership, marketing healthcare and business plans. She says the guest speakers have been impressive and have included Niyum Gandhi, Chief Financial Officer for Mass General Brigham; Dr. Ali Raja, Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital; along with ranking medical leaders at hospitals in New York City. 

‘The access to people in the leadership course was an incredible opportunity,” noted Regan. “To have time with them to just answer any questions or ask them about their career path - how they got there, bumps in the road that they encountered - is a really unique experience.”

On top of accomplished healthcare professionals is the learning students get from one another. 

“We have a physician and a pharmacist in this cohort along with program managers from different clinical entities throughout MGB,” said Regan. “It’s been eye-opening and so educational to hear their perspectives and solutions to different problems.”

Graduates leave with a master’s in health administration degree and professional certifications in topics areas like finance, operations management, and Six Sigma. 

“You have an additional certificate or certifications that you can add to your resume that makes you stand out in the job market,” reminds Trowers-Bell. “It gives graduates an additional edge and demonstrates competency. It shows that they have other areas and other skill sets that an employer would deem really attractive.”

Just ask Chhan, who is enjoying her new promotion and the responsibilities that come with it. 

“The MHA equipped me with a keen understanding of healthcare administration and management principles, which has helped me lead laboratory teams, optimize lab operations, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards,” concluded Chhan. “The program's emphasis on strategic decision-making and leadership has prepared me to take on more advanced roles within the healthcare sector, where I’m bridging the gap between microbiology and healthcare administration. I’m really glad I went to the MGH Institute.”